MEDIA ADVISORY

                                                                        
What: The Michigan Downtown Conference Partners kick-off their 2009 Michigan Downtown Conference Monday, September 15, 2009 at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing. The theme is "The Three C's of Prosperity: Creativity, Collaboration and Competition" and is being held in an effort to help community leaders create successful strategies and case studies for attracting new investment, jobs and young professionals to city centers.

When: Tuesday ? September 15, 2009, 6 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) Walt Sorg of AM Lansing broadcasting live on 1320 WILS AM, call in #(517) 393-3700.
9:00 a.m. Welcome by Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and Keynote Dan Kildee. Dan Kildee has worked tirelessly in Flint and Genesee County to initiate the use of Michigan's new tax foreclosure law as a tool for community development and neighborhood stabilization, as well as founded the first land bank in Michigan. Hear how he's working to eliminate urban blight and sprawl in creative and innovative ways.

Wednesday ? September 16, 2009 12 p.m. Keynote ? Michigan State University Head Basketball Coach Tom Izzo. Though he's had many offers and a number of opportunities to leave Michigan, hear why Tom Izzo believes Michigan, its downtowns and future are so important and why he continues to call Michigan home.

Where: The Lansing Center, Downtown Lansing.

Who: The Michigan Downtown Conference Partners include the Michigan Downtown Association (MDA), the Michigan Municipal League (MML), Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA, the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM), the Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN), Main Street Oakland County and the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO). 

Why: This annual conference is dedicated to bringing the best ideas, resources and educational sessions together to create an energetic environment and celebrates the growth of Michigan downtowns.

This is an opportunity for media to cover this event. Interview opportunities are available by contacting Mary Lou Keenon at 517-242-6631 or Jeff Bickert at 517-256-4132.

The Michigan Downtown Conference is an annual conference to help community leaders create successful strategies and case studies to revitalize their downtowns. Additional information can be found at www.michigandowntownconference.org.
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